The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender for the development of 2 MW (AC) of solar projects with 1 MW of battery energy storage system (BESS) at Kaza, located in Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, supply, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning of the projects. Apart from these, the successful bidder will also be responsible for 5 years of operations and maintenance (O&M) services. This would include the supply and storage of all mandatory spare parts, consumables, repairs and replacements of any defective equipment during the O&M period.

The successful bidder will be expected to complete the entire scope of work within 18 months from the date of issuance of the Notice of Availability (NoA).

Pre-bid meeting will take place on August 13, 2018 and last date for bid submission is August 31, 2018. Consortiums or joint ventures are allowed to bid for the projects.

A bidder can only submit one bid, though multiple bids from a single bidder can be considered depending upon the project specific requirements.

Of late, solar tenders coupled with BESS component have gained traction in the country.

Recently, SECI also issued a tender for the development of two 1.5 MW (AC) solar power projects with BESS at Tangtse and Durbuk in Leh district of Jammu & Kashmir.

Earlier this year, Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India tendered 20 MW of solar project BESS to be developed on the island of Andaman & Nicobar. Mahindra Susten had emerged as the lowest (L1) bidder in the auction.

In line with the changing dynamics of the Indian solar sector, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently brought BESS under the ambit of the Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices, and Component Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration under BIS Act) Order 2017.